Meetbowl — Restaurant in Melbourne

Feeling conflicted to post this cause last year my spouse and I went to this place both service and the food was really good and memorable for us. The owner and staffs were really nice and friendly.

We went back recently (we were visiting) but the entire experience extremely different. To give benefit of the doubt, could be due to the weekend crowd.

We ordered Yamien Asin, Ayam Geprek and Bakso special. Both yamien and ayam are good. However, the bakso taste totally off, I can immediately tell based on the color of the bakso (you may compare based on my photo). This time, the bakso is paler with a hint of pink and not chewy, which usually happen because of it has more flour than meat and was kept for a while.

Was thinking to inform the staff/owner directly but it was crowded and they were overwhelmed.

And, these are the second concerns, this place is crowded to the brim. Thus, there were spills and grease everywhere.

We carry 4 huge bags (back from market and we were visiting, so we do not own car) and there was no place to put our stuffs. Asked the young man (one of the staff) but he informed me that a chair for a person, I was asking whether he can recommend any place I can kept my bag (I can put on floor or somewhere). Honestly, I wish I just cancel the order or just return the food (Yes, we ordered and a plate was given). Luckily he asked senior staff and the senior staff gave us permission to use chairs to stack our bag.

During our visit, there were few minor issue on other tables (table snatching) and chaos due to order. I notice that some team members was inexperience (part timer), it would be great to consider improving the SoP or training.

If you wonder why I didn’t cancel the visit, it was for personal reason. I wish I visited on weekday, it may be better experience.

—- Original Post 2023: Small Indonesian eatery close to South Melbourne Market. They offer good variety (meatball, noodle and snacks). You can check their menu.

Taste authentic and it is self service for the condiment. Noodle is chewy type, and the soup is flavourful...

The food tasted like the chefs have never been to Indonesia and ate Indonesian food. The dishes felt like the result of a broken telephone game. Somehow the restaurant managed to miss every single important component of each individual dish.

Bakwan malang was bland, soup that is supposed be rich was severely lacking in flavour. Pretty convinced that it was just hot water mixed with a teaspoon of salt and sprinkled with a handful of spring onions. The egg noodle and bee hoon left much to be desired. The tendon meatball did not taste fresh. The other meatball lacked the springiness to it. There was no bakwan malang feel to it at all. I felt like I was being catfished by the dish.

Shiumai bandung used too much flour, can barely taste the fish. Egg was not even whole nor cut up, potato was overcooked and dry. How anyone manages to mess up a boiled potato is beyond me. Shows how skilful the team is. Peanut sauce reminds me of Skippy’s peanut jar slapped with kecap manis, Not fresh at all. There was no steamed cabbage, lime, chilli that were supposed to be in the shiumai. Tofu with the meatball was also bland and dry.

Bakmi bangka did not represent the multitudes of flavours that it was supposed to. The chicken was a tad too sweet, lacking in umami flavour and just like the theme of the dishes so far, extremely dry. soup was much more flavourful than the noodles. The noodles itself tasted like it was boiled and then served, without any flavours added to it.

Bakso goreng as usual were just bites full of flour, you’re better off going down to Woolies and get a bag of flour to munch on. Couldn’t taste what meat were in the meatballs, it was a jumble of lukewarm mess that should be illegal to be sold.

The only good thing about the place was Teh Kotak and thats because its not made by the team. My suggestion to the team is to learn how to cook Indonesian food before opening a restaurant that sells...

For the price, taste and authenticity of the food, I firmly believe this place totally deserves at least one Michelins star!⭐️ Everything in the menu no matter how often I come here is NEVER fail to impress. This is a kind of place that you are full and satisfy after one dish, then you have to try another dish straight after!! The Nasi Campur (mixed rice)- only on the weekend - definitely out of this word! Maybe would benefit with extra side soup with preserved cabbage? But still one of the best I had!!

The Bakmie keritng Siantar (curly noodle from Siantar) is my must have every time I go there with extra quail egg meatballs which are super yummy.

The fried chicken balls also good snack while waiting for your main meal to arrive. They are super light, crispy on the outside and fluffy and soft inside! I could have a dozen of them!!!

Batagor and Siomay is another dishes which are worth to try and alternate. I got these to win my super fussy eater friend. He loves it and I can understand why as they are combination of scrumptious fried food mainly fish based I think and texturous creamy peanut sauce.

Lucky they don’t open everyday or else I will be super fat over indulging with their exceptionally delicious meals!! My mouth is watery as I am writing this…

If you are a foody and love your food, you haven’t really taste delicious meal if you haven’t been to Meatbowl! Super highly recommended!!! MUST...